Abstract

Background

The medical specialities chosen by doctors for their careers play an
important part in the development of health-care services. This study
aimed to investigate the influence of gender, personality traits,
career motivation and life goal aspirations on the choice of medical
speciality.

Methods

As part of a prospective cohort study of Swiss medical school
graduates on career development, 522 fourth-year residents were asked
in what speciality they wanted to qualify. They also assessed their
career motivation and life goal aspirations. Data concerning
personality traits such as sense of coherence, self-esteem, and gender
role orientation were collected at the first assessment, four years
earlier, in their final year of medical school. Data analyses were
conducted by univariate and multivariate analyses of variance and
covariance.

Results

In their fourth year of residency 439 (84.1%) participants had made
their speciality choice. Of these, 45 (8.6%) subjects aspired to
primary care, 126 (24.1%) to internal medicine, 68 (13.0%) to surgical
specialities, 31 (5.9%) to gynaecology & obstetrics (G&O), 40
(7.7%) to anaesthesiology/intensive care, 44 (8.4%) to paediatrics, 25
(4.8%) to psychiatry and 60 (11.5%) to other specialities. Female
residents tended to choose G&O, paediatrics, and anaesthesiology,
males more often surgical specialities; the other specialities did not
show gender-relevant differences of frequency distribution. Gender had
the strongest significant influence on speciality choice, followed by
career motivation, personality traits, and life goals. Multivariate
analyses of covariance indicated that career motivation and life goals
mediated the influence of personality on career choice. Personality
traits were no longer significant after controlling for career
motivation and life goals as covariates. The effect of gender remained
significant after controlling for personality traits, career motivation
and life goals.

Conclusion

Gender had the greatest impact on speciality and career choice, but
there were also two other relevant influencing factors, namely career
motivation and life goals. Senior physicians mentoring junior
physicians should pay special attention to these aspects. Motivational
guidance throughout medical training should not only focus on the
professional career but also consider the personal life goals of those
being mentored.